Price Guide for 1934 Cent Variants
This guide presents price ranges for variants from three sources: eBay sales, third-party auctions, and PCGS guides. Values are shown for various conditions, allowing collectors to compare across different market segments. Price estimates may vary between sources, especially for rarer variants.
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $8.00 – $72.00Uncirculated: $15.00 – $37.00
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eBayCirculated: $0.99 – $20.99Uncirculated: $7.50 – $127.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $8.00Uncirculated: $9.00 – $70.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $240.00Uncirculated: $0.26 – $20,350.00
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eBayUncirculated: $12.50 – $10,500.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $18.00 – $6,350.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $280.00 – $500.00Uncirculated: $0.21 – $12,650.00
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eBayUncirculated: $5.00 – $2,950.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $8.00 – $5,250.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $5.00 – $1,265.00Uncirculated: $10.00 – $198.00
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eBayCirculated: $2.99 – $56.34Uncirculated: $6.17 – $235.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $1.00 – $4.00Uncirculated: $5.00 – $35.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $6.00 – $805.00
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eBayCirculated: $10.01Uncirculated: $4.25 – $299.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $6.00 – $50.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $1,035.00
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eBayCirculated: $127.49 – $349.50
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $65.00 – $535.00Uncirculated: $575.00 – $1,350.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $949.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $600.00 – $1,350.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $11.00 – $299.00
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eBayUncirculated: $4.34 – $199.99
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $10.00 – $235.00
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3rd Party PriceCirculated: $99.00 – $159.00Uncirculated: $101.00
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eBayCirculated: $12.39 – $71.97Uncirculated: $159.00
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $15.00 – $105.00Uncirculated: $120.00 – $475.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $600.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $400.00 – $950.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $312.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $160.00 – $750.00
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eBayCirculated: $10.00 – $149.00Uncirculated: $46.00 – $164.49
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PCGS Price GuideCirculated: $5.00 – $105.00Uncirculated: $110.00 – $400.00
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eBayUncirculated: $99.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $120.00 – $500.00
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3rd Party PriceUncirculated: $446.50 – $3,745.20
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eBayUncirculated: $1,550.00 – $1,750.00
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PCGS Price GuideUncirculated: $125.00 – $3,750.00
Design and Specifications of the 1934 Cent
The 1934 Lincoln Cent was minted during the Great Depression, a time of significant economic hardship in the United States. This coin continued the Lincoln Wheat Cent design, which had been in circulation since 1909. The Lincoln Cent was particularly important during this period as it retained significant purchasing power due to deflation, making it a crucial denomination for everyday transactions.
| Weight | 3.11 grams |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 19.05 mm |
| Mint Marks | No mint mark (Philadelphia), D (Denver) |
| Composition | 95% copper, 5% tin and zinc |
| Obverse Design | Abraham Lincoln's profile facing right, designed by Victor D. Brenner |
| Reverse Design | Wheat ears flanking the words 'ONE CENT' and 'UNITED STATES OF AMERICA', designed by Victor D. Brenner |
Rarity Factors and Value Drivers
The condition of a 1934 Lincoln Cent significantly impacts its value. While common in circulated grades, these coins become increasingly valuable in higher mint state conditions. Coins graded MS65 or above command substantial premiums, especially for the Denver mint.
Key factors affecting condition include the presence of luster, absence of contact marks, and quality of the strike. Full Red (RD) examples, which retain their original copper color, are particularly desirable and valuable in high grades.
Mintage: 219,080,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Scarce in grades MS66 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
Mintage: 28,446,000
Rarity Scale: Common
Circulation Status: Widely Circulated
Preservation Rarity: Rare in grades MS66 and above
Varieties Errors: None significant
Market Demand: Moderate, higher for well-preserved specimens
Toning can play a role in a coin’s desirability, with attractive, natural toning sometimes enhancing value. The strength of the strike is also important, with well-struck coins featuring sharp details being more valuable.
While not typically considered a key date, high-grade examples of the 1934 Cent, especially from the Denver mint, can be quite valuable due to their relative scarcity in top conditions. Collectors also appreciate original, unaltered surfaces, making problem-free coins with original mint luster particularly desirable in the numismatic market.
